heath



(No Model.)

i W- H- HBATH.

BOOK BEST.

Patented Nov. 2, 1897.

UNITED STATES i VILLAM H. HEATH, OF

BUFFALO, NEV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO KATE ADAM HEATH, OF SAME PLACE.

BOOK-REST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 592,780, dated November2, 1897.

Application filed September 26, 1895. Serial No. 563,724. (No model.)

T0 all wwm it mftyponccrn:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. I-IEATH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Book-Rests and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eXact descriptionof the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to figures of reference marked thereon, whichform a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in book-rests, and moreparticularly to a novel form of rest which is adapted to be placed upona chair or bed over the lap or body of the reader while sitting in thechair or lying or reclining upon the bed in order to bring` the bookwithin easy range of the vision without necessitating an uncomfortableor strained position of the body while reading.

With that end in view my invention consists of the special constructionhereinafter described in detail.

I will now minutely describe the manner in which I have carried out myinvention and then claim what I believe to be novel.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved book-restready for use. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a viewshowing the book-rest collapsed. Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial Verticalsection of Fig. 1, taken in the line 4 4; and Fig. 5 is a similarVertical section of Fig. 4, taken in the line 5 5.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the frame is composed ofside pieces 1 and end pieces 2, the side pieces being longer, making theframe rectangular in shape.

The frame is provided with two legs 3 3 at each end, which are hinged tothe outer ends of two cross-bars 4 4,' which correspond in length withthe end pieces 2 2 of the frame, the hinges shown at 5 'in Figs. 3, 4,and 5 being arranged to permit the legs to swing inwardly. At one end ofeach of the cross-bars 4 4 is permanently secured the metal plate 6,having the inwardly-extending flange 7, and at the opposite ends ofthese cross-bars 4 4 are adjustablysecured similar metal plates 8 withflanges 9. The flanges 7 and 9 of the plates 6 and 8 at each end of theframe are adapted to ride in the grooves 10, extending centrally alongthe outer side edges of the frame. The adjusting screws 11 serve toloosen the plates 8 and permit the cross-bars 4 4 and attached legs 3 3to be moved inwardly along the frame, as shown in dotted lines in Fig.1, in order to adapt the legs to rest within the arms of chairs ofvarying widths. The screws 11 olamp the legs in any determined position.Olamping-screws may be used at both ends of the cross-bars 4 4, if

desired, or any other means for adj usting the position of the legs canbe employed without ldeparting from the spirit of my invention, I havingsimply shown the present construction as being possibly the simplest andleast expensive.

To a cleat 12, extending along the top of one of the side pieces 1, ishinged the bookrest 13, being provided along its lower outside edge withthe hinged rail 14, against which the lower edge of the book rests whenin position.

A brace 15, extending the length of the frame, is hinged to the rest,its lower free ends being adapted for adjustable engagement With thenotches 16 along the upper edges of the end pieces 2 2. Thisconstruction permits the rest 13 to be placed and held at any desiredangle.

When not in use, my improved book-rest can be collapsed into a smallcompass, as)

shown in Fig. 3. The recesses 17 are formed in the end pieces 2 for thereception of the crossbar 18 when the device'is collapsed, the rest 13and brace 15 lying close against the top of the frame and the legs beingswung inwardly close against the bottom of the frame.

With my improved rest constructed as above described a reader ispermitted to place the book in a convenient 'and easy position whilesitting in a chair or resting upon a bed in a comfortable posture.

It is apparent that the legs could be rigidly secured to the cross-barsinstead of being hinged as shown.

I am aware that book-rests have been attached to the arms of chairs invarious ways, but these involve special constructions of IOO chairs andalmost invariably neeessitate the tiresome turning of the head 01' body,or both. While my improved book-rest is obviously adapted for use Withchairs of any and all descriptions and perniits the reader to sit or liein an unrestrained position,and,after reading, the rest can be collapsedinto small compass and put away until again required.

I claim- 1. A book-rest consisting of the frame having the side pieces1, 1, the end pieees 2, 2, the hinged legs 3, 3, adapted to collapse in-Wardly, the adj ustable book-rest 13 hinged to the frame and providedWith the hinged rail 14 for holding the book upon the rest, and thebrace 15 hinged to the book-rest 13 and adaptcd for adjustableengagement with the notches 16 upon the upper edges of the end pieces 2,2, all combined and Operating" substantially as stated.

2. A book-rest consisting,` of the frame having the side pieces 1, 1,provided with the outer longitudinal grooves 10, 10, the end pieces 2,2, the cross-bars 4, 4, the legs 3, 3

hinged to the outer ends of the cross-bars 4, 4, and adapted to collapseinwardly, the flan ged metal plates 6, 7, rigidly secured to thecrossbars 4, 4, and in sliding engagement with one of the grooves 10,and the flanged metal plates S, 9, With their tightening-screws 11 foi`loose and tight engagenient with the crossbars 4, 4, and for slidingengagement with the opposite groove 10, the adjustable book-rest 13hinged to the frame and provided with the hinged rail 14 for holding thebook upon the rest and the brace 15 hinged to the book-rest 13 andadapted for adjustable engagement With the notohes 16 upon the upperedges of the side pieces 2, 2, all combined and operating substantiallyas stated.

In testimony Whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresenoe of two subscribing witnesses.

lWILLIAM II. IIEATII.

Vitnesses:

W. T. MILLER, S. J. IIARRIS.

